Halloween Tea Light Luminaries

These projects are easy to make and dramatic to use as decorations for Halloween – and to think that they’re originally cupcake wrappers! Materials: Black/Orange or color of your choice cardstock Small punches – Halloween themed Corner rounder with guard remove to make scalloped edge 1/8’ and 1/16” hole punches Tea lights (or if you prefer battery operated tea-lights) Adhesive of your choice Optional: fire-retardant spray Punching guides from “Cupcake wrapper template” (hole punch 4 and hole punch 5 were used above) Instructions: Print the punching guides on cardstock – the print size of the pattern is 8” x 3”, so three to four patterns can easily fit on one sheet. Cut along the outside lines (refer to assembly instructions included in the set “Cupcake wrapper Template ”). Punch the scallop edge using the corner rounder, then punch the large holes along the border with a 1/8” hole punch. Punch the small holes with a 1/16” hole punch. Use the “dot guides” in the middle of the wrapper and punch out the fall/Halloween figures. Form into a circle, and then adhere overlapping edges. Optional: if you don’t want to worry about the luminaries getting burned – use a fire retardant spray. However, I noticed that as long as the candlewick is cut short and it is not in drafty place, the flames cannot reach the paper.  I think that the ones I made above lasted for about an hour then burned out without any incident. Set the candle on a fire-and-heat-proof surface. A ceramic surface is best – use a small plate/saucer or a tile counter. Put the luminaria over and around the candle – then light the candle (turn off lights!)